First round of Senate showdown a tossup

Herald readers pulled no punches during yesterday’s Friday Throwdown live chat over Round 1 in the great debates between U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and his Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren.

First argument: Who won?

“Brown was clearly the winner,” said Herald commenter dotguy during the noon chat on bostonherald.com.

Not so fast, a few said.

“Brown was rattled. His nice-guy image was tainted,” said Fighter.

Many readers felt strongly that the opening-bell attack by Brown on Warren’s tale of American Indian heritage was a direct hit.

“How can anyone want for their U.S. senator a person who refuses to answer a question regarding if they wrongfully received benefits?” asked Doug from Woburn. “If she doesn’t have the courage to answer that question, how can she be expected to have courage on the Senate floor?”

But is it a deal breaker?

“Issues about Indian heritage are fringe issues,” said Oregontransplant.

Round 2 of the Brown-Warren debates is set for Oct. 1, when the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Boston Herald host the candidates in a 7 p.m. showdown moderated by NBC’s David Gregory and streamed live on bostonherald.com.